Uittokäyttö
Uittokäyttö, also known as timber rafting or log driving, is a traditional method of transporting timber downstream using rivers and waterways. This practice was once widespread in regions with extensive forests and navigable rivers, particularly in Scandinavia and North America. Logs were felled in the forest, then transported to the riverbanks. During the spring thaw or periods of high water, the logs were floated downstream, often guided by specialized workers called raftsmen or log drivers.
The process involved assembling logs into rafts or allowing them to float individually. Raftsmen navigated these
While effective, uittokäyttö also presented environmental challenges. The constant movement of logs could disrupt river ecosystems,